JGR’s Favorite Son: Who Will Emerge?

Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Much has been said about the Joe Gibbs’ Racing driver/crew chief pairings and changes announced on Thursday, and much more will certainly be said in the coming weeks as off-season chatter and in the coming months as the 2015 Sprint Cup Series gets underway.  In fact, the topic dominated the SiriusXM NASCAR radio channel’s “Morning Drive” show on Friday as one of the three “Fired up Friday” topics.

The new pairings were certainly made with the goal of giving each team the best opportunity to win.

"“With the expansion of our NASCAR Sprint Cup Series operations to four teams next year with the addition of Carl Edwards, we have been able to take a step back and evaluate each of our teams and make decisions that we feel are best for our organization long term,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing."

So which driver/crew chief pairing do you feel will emerge as the strongest in 2015?  Here are some things to ponder:

No. 11 Team:

Driver, Denny Hamlin; Crew Chief, Dave Rogers – Dave has some big shoes to fill in replacing a championship-winning crew chief such as Darian Grubb, but he is also up to the task.  He always seems to get the best out of his team and equipment each week, even if he doesn’t have the fastest car or the best setup.  That’s the sign of a performer.  Denny doesn’t get enough credit for his mental approach and toughness, especially since enlisting the help of a sports psychologist several years ago.  This pairing just might out-think and out-smart the competition with some regularity next year.

No.18 Team:  

Driver, Kyle Busch; Crew Chief, Adam Stevens – Adam has been paired mostly with Kyle in the Nationwide Series for four years, so the communication between the two should already be ahead of the other teams with a change.  He understands the difference between “loose” and “way loose” as Kyle defines it, which will help him adjust appropriately.  With Kyle, you have a maturing driver with unquestioned talent, who is ready to win; not races, but a championship.  Further maturity certainly will come in late May with the arrival of his and wife Samantha’s first child.  Couple a crew chief who should already be on the same page as the driver and a maturing, yet ferocious talent behind the wheel, and the Mars candy executives should get a nice return on their 2015 investment.

No. 19 Team:

Driver, Carl Edwards; Crew Chief, Darian Grubb – Darian has proven he’s a championship-winning crew chief at the Cup level with Tony Stewart in 2011.  Ironically, the driver that the then Stewart-Haas Racing pairing beat for the championship was none other than Carl Edwards.  Now, they’re the paring, and it should work.  Darian is a calculating crew chief who isn’t afraid to think outside the box and take a gamble now and then to put his team in the position to win.  He’s found a comfortable home at JGR, and knows that the organization can and will support him with people, parts, etc. as necessary.  He’s earned it.  Carl should also benefit from his new home at JGR, as most new comers to the organization often do, such as Matt Kenseth in 2013.  Let’s face it, Carl just wasn’t in a position to compete the last year or so with Roush-Fenway racing’s equipment, yet still managed respectable seasons, including a Chase birth in 2014.  Carl is a sponsor’s poster-child off the track and an aggressive winner on the track.  It’s going to be fun to see him in equipment with which to truly showcase his talents in 2015.  This, coupled with Grubb’s leadership and savvy, is your early favorite for the pay window next season.

No. 20 Team:  

Driver, Matt Kenseth; Crew Chief, Jason Ratcliff – There are no changes to this pairing from where they’ve been the past two seasons.  They’re solid, dependable and skilled.  2015 should be pivotal though, as fans will want to see where this team lands.  Will it enjoy success as it did in 2013, with a series-leading seven wins or will it go without a win again as it did this past year?  The safe bet probably lies somewhere in between the two.  Consistency is not an issue; and, as Ryan Newman has shown, consistency still matters.  Also, for anyone who thinks Matt is too stoic and not motivated to win, please refer to the post-race ruckus at Charlotte.  This team could win anyone’s “gentle giant” award, if one existed… they will not grab headlines on Fridays or Saturdays during race weekends next year, but should be above the fold regularly when Sunday’s results are posted.

Who do you think is the strongest of the new pairings?  What challenges do you see for any of these teams?  Please share your opinions!